The Year of the Horse

Welcome back crafty friends and followers,

It's back to school for me today, so this one's scheduled to appear as if by magic - hope the little blogger fairy is doing her stuff!

It's time for our next challenge over at Cardz 4 Guys and what a fab response to our Monochrome challenge last week - it was a tough decision to choose the Top 3, but why not pop on over to the blog and see my choices. Now onto this week, and Caz has decided to join in with the Chinese New Year which begins its celebrations on the 31st January - so our theme this week is:

'THE YEAR OF THE HORSE'

We would love to see your male themed projects showcasing anything to do with HORSES. Now, we are only on challenge three and this one gave me a headache - do I own a stamp with a horse on, no! Oh well, a perfect excuse to go out and buy one then! Lol. Here's what I came up with for my DT inspiration ...

I couldn't resist the stamp, which funnily enough is called 'Rocking Horse', from Stampendous - I can't wait to use it on a vintage style card, but I hope this one looks suitably masculine. The music score backing paper is from my stash and is layered onto brown cardstock. I added a little colour to the stamped image with my Promarkers and finished off with a piece of polkadot ribbon.

I can't wait to see your interpretations of the theme this week and shall look forward to visiting your blogs throughout the week. We did comment on how many entries had used horses last week - a bit spooky don't you think, but I hope we see some of those stunning images paying another visit this time.

Hugz, Jan xx

It's all about the Hair!

Good morning everyone,

It's another special Monday over at the 'My Besties UK Challenge Blog' - not only do we have a brand new challenge, we are HOPPING again for the first time this year. The theme this time is  ...

'IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HAIR'

So you can enter the challenge as normal with a crafty project that showcases the theme and have the chance to win a some of Sherri's 'My Besties' digi images from our selection.  Here's what I made for my DT inspiration using image 086 'Messy Maddie' which you can buy in Sherri's on-line store HERE ...

I used an 8 x 8" scalloped card blank and layered it with papers from my stash.  I added my Bestie image which I coloured with my Promarkers and mounted on a Decorative Labels Eight nestie. Embellishments include die-cut butterflies and flowers made using Tim Holtz 'Tattered Flower Garland' die.

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You can also come and HOP with us for the chance of winning extra candy by visiting all the participating blogs, following and leaving us a comment. Here's the order of the hop:

Gill (DT co-ordinator)

Jan

Wendy

Carol

Donna 

Anita

Pixie

Michelle

So, if you've arrived at my blog from GILL then you are on the right track.

Now hop on over to WENDY who will show you some more fab inspiration on the theme.

I shall look forward to reading your comments and don't forget to check back on the main blog for details of our lucky winners.

Hope you have fun,
Good Luck,
Jan xx

Eastern Promise

Good morning,

I hope you all had a great weekend - I can't believe how fast Monday seems to come around!

It's time for our next challenge over at Make My Monday and this week Suzi has chosen the theme of

'EASTERN PROMISE'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I love this little image by Sherri Baldy - so off I went to choose some backing papers from my stash, before colouring her with my Promarkers.  I stamped the oriental symbols and embossed them with gold powder to give a more opulent look and added a little oriental coin to some twine to embellish. Hope you like her.

Why not pop over to the main blog and check out how my teamies interpreted the theme? I shall look forward to visiting your blogs over the next week to see your own interpretations too.

Hugz, Jan xx

Shop till you Drop

Hello,

I'm back today with the next challenge over at Polkadoodles and this week we are all shopping! The theme is

'SHOP TILL YOU DROP'

which I think is close to all our hearts (especially if it's craft shopping!) Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

Don't you just love this little boutique with its fancy dresses in the window! All the papers and printed elements are from the fabulous 'Dollie Daydream Collection' which you can buy HERE at the Polkadoodles store. There are so many gorgeous images to choose from, it's difficult to know where to start!

Why not pop along to the main blog and check out what my teamies made too.

Hugz, Jan xx

Monochrome for Guys

Hi there,

It's so exciting to be part of two brand new challenge blogs - my mojo is certainly being put to the test!

It's time for our second challenge over at 'Cardz 4 Guys' which is run by one of my best crafty friends, Caz. We had a tremendous response to the first challenge - so here goes with our next theme. It was my turn to choose this week and the theme is

'MONOCHROME'

So we would love to see your projects using shades of one colour - now did I follow my own rule? I'm not sure - here's what I made for my DT inspiration (I'll let you decide!) ...

I do tend to think of 'black and white' as monochromatic, but then I thought about shades of one colour! Lol. Anyway, this one is a 6x6" card layered with a gunmetal shade of mirri card, then patterned papers from my stash (one of my new year's resolutions is to try and use some of my mountain of stash!). The stamped image is a gift stamp from a previous issue of Craft Stamper and I thought it was perfect for this card (it makes me laugh every time I look at it!) I stamped it in black archival ink because I wanted a real solid image, then quickly embossed it with clear embossing powder. Hope you like it!

Why not pop over to the main blog HERE and check out what my teamies made.

Hugz, Jan xx

A little bit of Kraft!

Happy Monday,

I hope you all had a great weekend with lots of opportunities to craft.

It's time for our next challenge at Make My Monday and this week it's my turn to choose the theme, so we would love to see your projects using

'KRAFT CARD'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I decided to make the Kraft card a feature, rather then layer with it like I usually do and used a rich red cardstock to compliment it. The heart is printed from my pc, together with the sentiment (which I have used previously in my art journaling). The border down the left hand side is made using a litttle heart punch and my Cropadile to make the little holes - the red cardstock is peeking through from underneath.

Why not pop along to the main blog HERE and see what my teamies made with their Kraft card.

Hugz, Jan xx

Fantasy Stampers - Challenge 2

Happy Saturday everyone,

Well, I am chuffed to little pieces with the reaction to my new challenge blog at

'FANTASY STAMPERS'.

We had 33 entries for the first challenge, which may not seem a lot to you - but it far exceeded my expectations. So, thank you so much for the support and I have to say the entries were all stunning - it was a very difficult choice to choose a Top 3!

So, onto our second challenge which is one of my favourite themes

We would love to see your projects showcasing something with wings - will it be butterflies or birdies, dragonflies or fairies - the choice is yours. Here's what I decided on for my DT inspiration ...

And here's a view from the top

I decorated a tissue box using plain ivory cardstock, magenta textured cardstock and Pion design papers. The stamped image is Lili of the Valley - 'Never too old for a Hug' and I must admit this is one of my favourite stamps, but I didn't want to use it for the 'Favourite Stamp' challenge because I had it in mind for this one - I love my little fairies. She is coloured with my Promarkers and mounted on a scalloped circle cut from the magenta cardstock. All the flowers are die-cut from scraps of the papers and I created a little 'Just for You' message on my pc.

I would love it if you could pop over to the challenge HERE and check out the gorgeous creations from my teamies.

I hope you can join us for our second challenge and let's see if we can build the number of entries - I shall look forward to visiting your blogs over the next couple of weeks.

Hugz, Jan xx

Y for a Young Card

Hi there everyone,

Well, that's my second week back at school over and what a rough one - I've been poorly all week and practically dragged myself in each morning only to find out that I have to cover from others that are ill! There's something not quite right there!

But, Friday means it's time for the next letter over at the Alphabet Challenge and this week we are up to 'Y' and Caz has chosen the theme of

'Y for a YOUNG CARD FOR A LITTLE ONE'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I was a little spoiled for choice at first, but decided 'What little girl doesn't like fairies?' So I made a young card using this cute little 'Fairy Doodles' stamp from Buzzcraft, which I have had for ages. I love these little fairies - I think they look so cherubic (if that's a real word!) She's coloured with my Promarkers and mounted onto a pale pink scalloped circle. The sentiment is LOTV and is also mounted the same.  The background paper is from my stash and the flowers are die-cut from the scraps and inked with Victorian Velvet distress ink. A few touches of sparkle to finish - well you can't have a fairy without any sparkle!

We would love you to pop over to the main blog and join us - I can't believe we are nearly at the end of another run through the alphabet. I wonder what the next cycle will bring?

Hugz, Jan xx

Clean and Simple

Good morning,

Hello and welcome to my new followers - I do hope my crafting brings a little inspiration into your world.

I've just popped on with a quick post today - don't you just hate it when you nearly forget a birthday! I was sat looking at my calendar at the weekend and realised that I needed to make a card quickly to catch the post. Here's the result ...

30 minutes later and my card was ready to post - that's quick for me when I can often spend around two hours making a card! A really sweet clean and simple design using one of my favourite LOTV fairies called 'Never too old for a Hug' - how true! She is coloured with my trusty Promarkers and then I ran it through the printer to pop on the sentiment, before mounting it on purple cardstock. 

Hugz, Jan xx

Cardz 4 Guys Launch!

Happy Tuesday everyone,

Well I have more exciting news to share with you today - one of my very best crafty friends is launching her brand new challenge blog today called

'CARDZ 4 GUYS' 

which couldn't have come at a better time after the demise of a couple of male themed challenge blogs over the past couple of weeks.

Caz also asked me to be part of her new design team and I couldn't wait to get started. I think we all find it more difficult to make for the guys in our life, so this brings a fantastic opportunity to hone my skills. The new design team have been getting ready and have made some great male themed projects for our first challenge, which is a great one to start with. Here's my DT inspiration for our first challenge theme, which is

'HAPPY BIRTHDAY'

Now who hasn't got a male birthday coming up in the next few months - I know I have, it was my dad's birthday yesterday so perfect timing for our challenge. I used an 8x8" scalloped card blank and covered it with papers from my stash. The cute little chimney sweep is from the 'Cutie-Patooties' range at Little Claire Designs and is called 'Little Bert'. I stamped him in Vintage Photo distress ink and used the ink to colour him with the addition of a blue Promarker (yep, I couldn't step away from them totally!)  The sentiment was created on my pc and the 'Dad' lettering was stamped using the Clarity Letterbox kit. Hope you like it.

If you have a minute, please pop over the the main blog and take a peek at the work my teamies produced too - they would love your comments.

I hope you will join us in our new venture and I shall look forward to popping over to your blogs during the next week.

Hugz, Jan xx

Watch the Birdie

Happy Monday,

Righty, here we go again at the beginning of another week - I wonder what this one will bring? I have some more news for you tomorrow, so keep watching.

So, onto today - we have a brand new challenge for you over at Make My Monday and this week our Rosie has chosen the theme of

'BIRDS'.

Now I'm not a big fan of our feathered friends, so I had to put my thinking hat on. Here's what I came up with for my DT inspiration ...

Well, aren't they cute! I found the image with the help of my friend 'Google' and pasted it into a word document. The original was just one flamingo, but I copied, flipped, and made this cute looking pair, which are coloured with my Promarkers. The lettering has been stamped using the Clarity Letterbox set and I added a little Black Soot distress ink underneath the letters to give a shadow. The panel is mounted on a piece of textured pink cardstock and then added to my 6x6" cardbase.

Hope you can join us with your own 'Birdie' creations this week.

Hugz, Jan xx

All things Girly

Happy Friday to you all,

Well, that's week one over - I don't know about you, but it seemed to fly by for me!

It's time for our next challenge over at Polkadoodles and this week our Nikky has put together a brand new collection, which we all had the privilege of playing with. It's called 'Dollie Daydream Girl Talk' and is just perfect for our theme this week, which is 'GIRLY, GIRLY, GIRLY'. If you haven't ordered your copy yet, what are you waiting for? It's currently on offer at only £12.74!

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration using papers and elements from the collection ...

I have a new found addiction for making tags at the moment! This one is covered in paper and layered with different elements all from the collection.  The flowers are absolutely fab - if you are like me and can't make anything without putting a flower on it - then this one's for you. It has a whole section full of flowers that you can print, cut and assemble - all I added was a little bit of ink and a centre - don't they look fab!

Why not pop over to the main blog HERE and check out some more inspiration from my fellow teamies.

Hugz, Jan xx

2014 at Make My Monday

Happy Monday everyone,

Well, after my much enjoyed Christmas break it's back to school today, ready for the Spring term. I must admit, although I love being at home I do miss the routine of work (and the children, of course!)

On a crafty note, it's time for our first challenge of the New Year over at Make My Monday. This week Laura is starting us off with a great theme with lots of possibilities. So, we would love to see your projects using 'EMBOSSING' - Laura hasn't specified which, so dry embossing or heat embossing will meet the theme. I decided on dry embossing for this one - here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I kept it fairly simple as I wanted to show the embossing. I cut a piece of cardstock to the same size as my embossing folder, then passed it through my Calibur. I added colour using different shades of pearlescent chalk, which has a lovely sparkle to it (although it doesn't show very well on my photo!) A little stamped 'Thank You' sentiment, a piece of ribbon and a black mount to finish - simples!

Why not pop over to the main blog and check out what my teamies did - hope you can join us.

Hugz, Jan xx

Fantasy Stampers are Go!

Happy New Year everyone,

Well, here's to a new year and a new beginning, and a very exciting one it is for me. After all the planning and waiting our launch day has finally arrived at my new challenge blog

'FANTASY STAMPERS'

There has been lots of preparation and excitement amongst the design team and we would love you to pop over to the new blog and join in with our very first challenge ever!  As we are primarily a 'stamping' challenge our first theme is

So, we would love to see your projects showcasing your favourite stamps. Now all that said, I sat at my desk pondering this - even though I chose the theme. How do I pick my favourite stamp? Well, I did narrow it down to my 'favourite stamp company' which some of you will already know is 'Lili of the Valley'. Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I made a pretty calendar for my craft room - can you spot the challenge launch date circled!! Lol.

I used a lush background paper from my Lili of the Valley 'Antebellum' paper pad (designed by Raspberry Road Designs) and this set the colour scheme for my project. The stamp is definitely 'one' of my favourites and is called 'Big Hug' by Lili of the Valley and is coloured with my Promarkers. I mounted it on a die-cut 'Fleur de Lys' square and added lots of stamped flowers, which I sat and cut out before assembling them (all 20 of them!) I added a shop bought calendar tab at the bottom which is mounted on co-ordinating cardstock. Hope you like it.

I would love you to pop over to the challenge HERE and check out the fab work that my teamies have made too. 

So, I really hope you can join us at the beginning of our adventure - I can't wait to see your projects using your favourite stamps. I shall look forward to visiting your blogs over the next couple of weeks - I hope you give us a really tough time choosing a 'Top 3'. 

We are also still looking for extra teamies to join us too, so check out the challenge blog for more details.

Wishing you lots of luck,

Big hugz, Jan xx